Chhattisgarh HC Grants Bail To 19-Year-Old Accused In Four Alleged Diesel-Theft Cases, Citing No Prior Record And Four Months In Custody

The prosecution alleged that the applicant and co-accused stole diesel from parked vehicles on different occasions and supplied it to other accused persons for resale.

The applicant was arrested on 17 June 2026; 450 litres of diesel was allegedly seized at the instance of the accused persons.

The applicant sought regular bail in four connected cases registered under Sections 303(2), 3(5), 112(2) and 317(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

He relied on his lack of criminal antecedents, the filing of the charge-sheet, his time in custody, likely delay in trial, and the grant of bail to a co-accused.

The State opposed release.

Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, provides the basis for the High Court’s consideration of regular bail.

In exercising that power, the Court considered the circumstances of the case, the nature of the offence and the applicant’s role, criminal antecedents, period of custody, completion of investigation and likely time for conclusion of trial.

It also considered parity with a co-accused who had been granted bail; the Court referred to its order dated 7 October 2026 in MCRC No. 8498 of 2026 and connected matters.

The Court weighed the prosecution’s allegation of repeated diesel theft and the seizure said to have been made at the accused persons’ instance against the applicant’s lack of previous criminal antecedents, custody since 17 June 2026, and the fact that the charge-sheet had been filed.

It further noted that the trial was likely to take time and that co-accused Virendra Singh had already been granted bail.

On these considerations, and without expressing an opinion on the merits, the Court found the applicant suitable for release on bail.

It directed that the applicant be released on executing a personal bond of ₹50,000 with one surety for the like sum, to the satisfaction of the trial Court.

The applicant must not threaten or induce persons acquainted with the case, must not prejudice a fair and expeditious trial, and must appear on every date fixed by the trial Court.

The observations were confined to the bail applications, leaving the trial Court to decide the case on its merits.